Papers of John Adams, volume 17
d.1785
I have now the honour to inform you that having shewn my Commission to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen, and left an Authenticated Copy together with a Copy of my Letter of Credence to the King according to the usage. I had the Honour on the first of this month to be introduced by his Lordship to His Majesty, in his Closet with all the Ceremonies, and formalities, practised on such occasions, with other foreign Ministers, where I deliverd to His Majesty my Letter of Credence from the United States of America as their Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Great Britain
The Mission was treated by His Majesty with all the respect, and the Person with all the Kindness, which could have been expected or reasonably desired, and with much more, I confess than was in fact expected by me.
Colo. Smith, has also shewn his Commission as Secretary of Legation, to the Secretary of State and left an Authenticated Copy, and is to be presented to the King on the next Levee Day
The time is not yet fixed for my Introduction to the Queen but having received an invitation to dine with the secretary of State, on Saturday the fourth of this Month, being the Anniversary of His Majesty’s Birth, I must go to Court again on that Day—2 With great respect I have the honor to be— / Gentlemen / Your most Obedient / Humble servant
RC in WSS’s hand (PCC, No. 84, V, f. 485–486); internal address: “Their Excellency’s / Missrs. Franklin / & / Jefferson Esqrs: / Min. Plenipo: &c &c”; endorsed: “John Adams— Bath Hotel, Westmin- / ster 3d june 1785. to Dr. Franklin / & Mr. Jefferson at Paris.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 111.
In the LbC, this letter is designated as a “Circular,” and the internal address indicates that copies of the letter went also to William Carmichael and C. W. F. Dumas. For the copy received by Carmichael, see his letter of 28 July; for that going to Dumas, see his letter of 21 June, both below.
Although out of hope for good weather the birthday of the reigning king or queen is officially celebrated in May or June, regardless of the monarch’s real date of birth, George III in fact was born on 4 June 1738 (
DNB
). For JA’s account of his attendance at the celebration, see his 7 June 1785 letter to Jefferson, below.
In JA’s hand.